Northern Region

The Northern Region was an autonomous division of Nigeria that existed from 1897 to 1966, with Lokoja, Zungeru, and Kaduna serving as capitals at differing points in history. The Northern Region had independent customs, foreign relations, and security structures from the south of the country, with the people of Northern Nigeria mostly being Muslims and farmers, while the people of Southern Nigeria were mostly Christians and were wealthier than the northerners. This clash of cultures would lead to conflict on numerous occasions, whether it was during the various coup d'etats during Nigeria's early history, or during the Boko Haram insurgency at the start of the 21st century.